The Batavia Muckdogs today announced the start of their reading program, designed to promote reading amongst the youth of the local communities. Along with the help of NYs 529 College Savings Program, 2015 will mark the third year of the “HIT THE BOOKS with the Batavia Muckdogs” reading program.

As part of this program, the Muckdogs have provided various schools and libraries across local counties with customized bookmarks. On the back of these bookmarks, children can have a parent, guardian, teacher, or librarian initial each time they complete a book. When a child completes 10 books, they can redeem the bookmark at the Dwyer Stadium box office for a FREE TICKET to any Sunday-Thursday Batavia Muckdogs’ game! In addition to the free ticket, the child will also receive a prize courtesy of NYs 529 College Savings Program. If a child reads 20 books, they will be entered into a drawing to win a backpack with school supplies, provided by NYs 529 College Savings Program; along with the opportunity to throw out a first pitch at a Muckdogs game.

In addition to the many participating schools, bookmarks will be made available to children at the following local libraries:

Richmond Library (Batavia)

Lee-Whedon Memorial Library (Medina)

Byron-Bergen Public Library

Haxton Memorial Library (Oakfield)

Hoag Library (Albion)

Pavilion Public Library

Corfu Free Library

Woodward Memorial Library (LeRoy)

Holley Community Free Library

Any questions about the reading program, bookmarks, or redeeming for tickets can be answered by Mike Ewing, at 585-343-5454 x 1005.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Batavia MuckDogs. Click here to view the original story.

Join us at Dwyer Stadium August 7th, 8th and 9th for our youth baseball camp!

Kids ages 6-14 will receive two days of on-field instruction from the Muckdogs players and coaches on August 7th & 8th from 9am – 12pm. Children will learn from the pros in the areas of hitting, fielding, pitching, catching base running and bunting. Then on August 9th, campers will be able to come back to Dwyer for a private autograph signing with the team 30 minutes before the gates open (5:30pm) and then be recognized on the field prior to the Muckdogs game vs. the Brooklyn Cyclones (NY Mets affiliate).

Campers will also receive a special t-shirt not available in the team store, a camp photo, two tickets to the August 9th game, as well as daily lunch, all for only $70. Registration forms are available at Dwyer Stadium or by clicking here. Space is limited and all registrations must be turned in by Thursday, July 31st.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Batavia Muckdogs. Click here to view the original story.

The Class-A Short-Season New York-Penn League and its member clubs are proud to announce that the league’s philanthropic arm, the NYPL Charitable Foundation, will once again award over $10,000 in scholarships this summer to deserving high school graduates from the league’s 14 markets.

Now in its sixth year, the 2014 NYPL Scholarship Contest is open to any graduating senior from a public or private high school within the league’s footprint. Any student who has been accepted at a two or four-year college or university, vocational school, or technical education institution is eligible. Applicants will be judged based on academic performance, volunteer and extracurricular activities, and the impact their local NYPL club and Minor League Baseball have had on their lives.

The scholarship contest will consist of two stages – a local round and a divisional round. In the local stage, students will apply directly to their local NYPL team, with one applicant chosen by each of the 14 teams to advance to the divisional/final round. The 14 finalists will then be separated by the division of the team they represent. The winning application from each of the NYPL’s three divisions (McNamara, Pinckney and Stedler) will receive the top prize of a $2,500 scholarship. All other finalists will receive a $250 book award.

“The New York-Penn League Charitable Foundation and our 14 member clubs are pleased to have the opportunity to assist outstanding high school seniors within our league’s footprint for the sixth consecutive season,” said Ben J. Hayes, President of the New York-Penn League. “This program will again recognize those seniors who not only meet and exceed traditional scholarship criteria, but demonstrate the positive community impact and lifelong memories fostered by their local NYPL clubs throughout the year.”

High school seniors interested in entering the 2014 Scholarship Contest can obtain the official application from their local NYPL club, or by visiting the league’s official website, New York-Penn League.com.

The deadline to submit applications to the nearest NYPL team is June 27, 2014. Each club’s winner, including the three $2,500 scholarship recipients, will be selected in late July and honored at a game in August.

The New York-Penn League and its 14 member clubs created the New York-Penn League Charitable Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, in 2003. The mission of the Foundation is to provide focus and support for the collective and individual charitable and community efforts of the New York-Penn League, its Clubs, and their staff.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Aberdeen IronBirds. Click here to view the original story.

Graduating high school seniors from each of the league’s 14 markets competing for over $10,000

The Class-A Short-Season New York-Penn League and its member clubs are proud to announce that the league’s philanthropic arm, the NYPL Charitable Foundation, will once again award over $10,000 in scholarships this summer to deserving high school graduates from the league’s 14 markets.

Now in its fifth year, the 2013 NYPL Scholarship Contest is open to any graduating senior from a public or private high school within the league’s footprint. Any student who has been accepted at a two or four-year college or university, vocational school, or technical education institution is eligble. Applicants will be judged based on academic performance, volunteer and extracurricular activities, and the impact their local NYPL club and Minor League Baseball have had on their lives.

The scholarship contest will consist of two stages – a local round and a divisional round. In the local stage, students will apply directly to their local NYPL team, with one applicant chosen by each of the 14 teams to advance to the divisional/final round. The 14 finalists will be separated by the division of the team they represent. The winning application from each of the NYPL’s three divisions (McNamara, Pinckney and Stedler) will receive the top prize of a $2,500 scholarship. All other finalists will receive a $250 book award.

“The New York-Penn League Charitable Foundation and our 14 member clubs are committed to giving back to our local communities and our annual scholarship competition has become one of the anchors of our community outreach program over the past five years,” said Ben J. Hayes, President of the New York-Penn League. “In addition to selecting those students who meet and exceed traditional scholarship criteria, we enjoy being able to assist those who have enjoyed many special memories with their hometown team over the years.”

The New York-Penn League Charitable Foundation initiated the scholarship program in 2009 as a way to assist high school seniors from within our league’s footprint who not only meet and exceed traditional scholarship criteria, but have also demonstrated the positive benefits their local NYPL club has had on their life,” said Ben J. Hayes, President of the New York-Penn League. “The Foundation is pleased to have this scholarship program in place and to support our 14 member clubs in their year-round community outreach efforts.”

High school seniors interested in entering the 2013 Scholarship Contest can obtain the official application from their local NYPL club, or by visiting the league’s official website, New York-Penn League.com.

The deadline to submit applications to the nearest NYPL team is June 28, 2013. Each club’s winner, including the three $2,500 scholarship recipients, will be selected in late July and honored at a game in August.

The New York-Penn League and its 14 member clubs created the New York-Penn League Charitable Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, in 2003. The mission of the Foundation is to provide focus and support for the collective and individual charitable and community efforts of the New York-Penn League, its Clubs, and their staff.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Batavia Muckdogs. Click here to view the original story.

The Batavia Muckdogs and New York’s 529 College Savings Program Direct Plan have announced that they are once again partnering together with an essay contest for local students and children. The goal of the essay contest is to have kids submit an original essay on the topic of “what would you like to be when you grow up”. The Batavia Muckdogs front office staff will read over all entries, selecting the three (3) most compelling submissions. The three winners and their parents/guardians will then receive complementary tickets to the Tuesday, September 3, 2013 Muckdogs’ home game at 7:05pm. In addition to receiving a free ticket, the winners will receive a back-to-school backpack with supplies, courtesy of New York’s 529 College Savings Program Direct Plan. The three selected winners will also have the opportunity to throw out the honorary first pitches for the game.

Eligibility: The contest is open to all children who attend a school in the local communities surrounding Batavia. This includes schools in Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston, Monroe, Orleans, Erie, and Niagara counties.

Contest Period: Students may enter submissions anytime from this point forward until August 16, 2013. At that point the Batavia Muckdogs front office staff will begin reading submissions and selecting the three (3) winners.

How to Enter: To enter, participants must submit their essay (approximately 100 words) either by mailing it to Dwyer Stadium or dropping it off at the stadium in person. The mailing address is: Dwyer Stadium, 299 Bank Street, Batavia, NY. Along with the essay submission, we ask that participants include their: full name; school; date of birth; and telephone number.

If there are any questions in regards to this contest feel free to contact the Muckdogs front office staff at (585)-343-5454. Also feel free to check out New York’s 529 College Savings Program Direct Plan at www.ny529plan.comThis article originally appeared on the official website of the Batavia Muckdogs. Click here to view the original story.

The Batavia Muckdogs today announced a new reading program, designed to promote reading amongst the youth of the local communities. Along with the help of Smoke Free NOW, 2013 will mark the first year of the “HIT THE BOOKS with the Batavia Muckdogs” reading program.

As part of this program, the Muckdogs have provided various schools and libraries across local counties with customized bookmarks. On the back of these bookmarks, children can have a parent, guardian, teacher, or librarian initial each time they complete a book. When a child completes 10 books, they can redeem the bookmark at the Dwyer Stadium box office for a FREE TICKET to any Sunday-Thursday (excluding July 3rd) Batavia Muckdogs’ game! If a child reads 20 books, they will be entered into a drawing to win autographed memorabilia, opportunities to throw out a first pitch at a Muckdogs game and other great prizes.

Bookmarks will be made available to children at the following local libraries:

Richmond Library (Batavia)

Lee-Whedon Memorial Library (Medina)

Byron-Bergen Public Library

Stevens Memorial Community Library (Attica)

Haxton Memorial Library (Oakfield)

Perry Public Library

Holley Community Free Library

Hoag Library (Albion)

Pavilion Public Library

Warsaw Public Library

Woodward Memorial Library (LeRoy)

Wyoming Free Library

Any questions about the reading program, bookmarks, or redeeming for tickets can be answered by Mike Ewing, at 585-343-5454 x 1005.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Batavia Muckdogs. Click here to view the original story.